FAD 2003 Awards Finalist The design of the new indoor swimming pool is based around a unique structural concept of a vaulted roof made from prefabricated concrete. This provides the building with a definitive form while also addressing three of the major requirements of the client: - Low energy use – mainly reducing the need for heating and air conditioning systems, optimising the insulating capacity of the building envelope and stabilising the average temperature, by covering the vaults with earth. - Using the roof as an expansion garden of the recreational playground for children of the school. - Rapid completion, preferably during the holiday months of the scholar year. Functions carried out by IDOM: • Full architectural and engineering services • Site Supervision. The proposed design is developed mostly with the use of precast concrete cover tunnel type, dome-shaped. Once built the perimeter walls and roof. The choice of this system allowed the main structure, the vaults, could run in 2 weeks, significantly reducing the risk of accidents for students and interference of the work with the school's academic activity, that at no time should be affected.

Its domed therefore satisfies a triple motivation: isolation, speed of construction, green cover and a fourth reason, perhaps more poetic: the cave secret place, as the space in so many stories of the imaginary child or youth. Cover GREEN, garden, avoiding hard spaces The use of false pieces of precast concrete tunnel made ​​it possible at the top can be located a garden. The curve of the vault guideline will minimize the risk of water leaks in front of a flat solution: water seeping into the ground run along the curve to the drains placed longitudinally at their bases. Constructively optimal from the standpoint of energy efficiency and consumption of installations. The design of a building partially buried, dome-shaped layer of soil and at least one meter, 4 maximum on each of the walls, the design provides excellent conditions for thermal insulation and stability of the interior temperature throughout year (hold effect), eliminating thermal spikes. The energy savings will be important. Low maintenance costs Materials easy to maintain, durable and aesthetic

Team:

Architects: IDOM & Javier Pérez Urribarri

Photographers: Agustin Sagasti & Cesar San Millan